Types of Aphasia: Boston Classification

Study Notes

Global Aphasia

Characterized by limited verbal communication, mostly non-functional.
Auditory comprehension occasionally allows understanding of personally relevant questions.
Naming, repetition, reading, and writing abilities are all significantly impaired.
Associated with right hemiparesis, right hemisensory loss, and right hemianopsia.
Damage is located in the left frontotemporoparietal region.

Broca's Aphasia

Non-fluent speech with considerable effort required for communication.
Auditory comprehension is relatively good, allowing for some understanding of spoken language.
Naming and repetition abilities are impaired.
Reading is relatively good, while writing is slow, often involving dyslexia and guessing.
Commonly associated with dyspraxia/apraxia.
Located in the left frontal lobe.

Transcortical Motor Aphasia

Expressive language is reduced or sparse, impacting fluency.
Auditory comprehension is intact and good.
Naming abilities are impaired, and writing is also affected.
Repetition skills remain intact despite other impairments.
Associated signs often include right hemiplegia.
Damage occurs anterior and superior to Broca's area.

Wernicke's Aphasia

Fluent and effortless speech characterized by logorrhea (excessive talking).
Very poor auditory comprehension leads to difficulties understanding spoken language.
Naming, repetition, reading, and writing abilities are all impaired.
Writing may be well-formed but lacks meaningful content.
Associated with visual field deficits.
Typically arises from damage to the superior temporal and inferior parietal regions.

Transcortical Sensory Aphasia

Speech remains fluent, but auditory comprehension is poor.
Naming abilities are impaired; however, repetition is intact.
Reading skills are often good despite writing impairments.
Associated with mild or transient hemiparesis.
Damage is located surrounding Wernicke's area.

Conduction Aphasia

Speech is relatively fluent, allowing for spontaneous verbal output.
Auditory comprehension is good, enhancing understanding of language.
Naming is impaired, and repetition is notably poor.
Reading skills are impaired, while writing is well-formed but includes poor spelling.
Associated signs can sometimes be absent.
Located in the left temporal and inferior parietal regions.

Anomic Aphasia

Fluent speech with good auditory comprehension.
Naming is impaired, but repetition and reading skills remain intact.
Writing abilities may vary but are often not specifically noted.
Associated signs are variable, frequently exhibiting none.
Damage is located in various regions, making it less predictable.

Description

This quiz covers the various types of aphasia based on the Boston Classification system. Test your understanding of the features, impairments, and locations associated with different aphasia types. Each question will help reinforce your knowledge of aphasia in clinical practice.